“The Legislation’s Going to Be a S— Show”: Ex-Congressman Drops Blunt Assessment of GOP Congress

Former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered an unfiltered prediction on Monday about the challenges the GOP-controlled Congress will face in the coming year. Appearing on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power, Riggleman didn’t mince words, catching the host off guard with his frank comments.

Riggleman, who previously represented Virginia and has become a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, provided a stark outlook for the next session of Congress. His remarks followed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to solidify his position with Trump’s endorsement. However, Riggleman expressed skepticism about Johnson’s ability to rally sufficient support within his party.

“I think it’s going to be a miserable day,” Riggleman stated, predicting struggles for Johnson on Congress’s opening day. “I think you’re going to have a lot of votes,” he added, suggesting that intense lobbying efforts would be necessary to secure Johnson’s position.

The conversation took a striking turn when host Joe Mathieu highlighted the precarious state of the Republican Party and its slim majority in the House. Mathieu remarked on the challenge of merely electing a speaker before even tackling legislative matters.

“Just to elect a speaker, not even pass a piece of legislation?” Mathieu asked. Riggleman’s candid response caught viewers—and the host—by surprise. “Just to elect a speaker – the legislation’s going to be a s— show,” he replied. Mathieu, visibly startled, attempted to recover. “Well, you can’t say that,” he said, nervously glancing around. “…did we?”

Riggleman chuckled, offering a quick apology. “Oh sorry,” he said. “It’s ok,” Mathieu replied, moving the discussion forward to January 6 and the Capitol riot investigation. Riggleman shifted focus, emphasizing the importance of addressing the events of January 6. “This should be the biggest deal – is what happened on January 6,” he asserted.

He also made a pointed comparison, adding, “I honestly don’t foresee Harris supporters storming the Capitol, you know, coming in for January 6.” The segment underscored the challenges facing the GOP as it navigates internal divisions and legislative hurdles, with Riggleman’s blunt assessment highlighting the tensions ahead.